Richard's Pov It's been a week. Seven endless days since Ava slipped into a coma, and every single day, the world felt like it was unraveling. I could barely recognize her now—she looked so thin, so fragile, lying there with tubes and wires keeping her tethered to life. The doctor had said something about her needing to go into some kind of induced coma, but the words barely registered. All I could think about was her, lying there, unmoving, while I was expected to sit and watch.I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the strands in frustration. It was a mess, just like everything else. My clothes were wrinkled, and I hadn’t bothered to shave in days. What did it matter? Nothing mattered if Ava didn’t wake up. The door to the hospital room opened, and the doctor walked in, his face a blend of concern and professionalism. He approached Ava’s bed, checking her monitors and gently placing a hand on her swollen belly. I watched him, every second feeling like an eterni
I held my newborn son close, feeling the weight of him in my arms. The doctors had congratulated me, saying both Ava and the baby had made it through the emergency C-section, but Ava was still in a coma. I looked down at him—he had her curly hair, her high cheekbones. The resemblance was so strong that it tugged at something deep inside me. His tiny hand reached up, his fingers curling around mine as he tried to bring them to his mouth. “Hey, little man,” I murmured, my voice barely a whisper. He squirmed, his small body wiggling in my grasp. There was a life in him, a spark that reminded me so much of Ava. As I stood there, lost in the moment, I heard the sound of small footsteps approaching. I turned just in time to see Tommy rush into the room, his face lit with curiosity and excitement. Behind him were his grandparents, giving me a nod as they let Tommy run ahead. “Papa!” Tommy’s voice was full of energy as he reached me. His eyes were wide as he looked at the baby
Richard's Pov I stood by the changing table, my hands steady as I carefully fastened the clean diaper on Anthony. His little legs kicked playfully in the air, and I couldn't help but smile as he cooed up at me, his tiny fingers grasping at the air. The scent of baby powder filled the room, mingling with the faint smell of fresh linens. As I finished securing the diaper, I heard Tommy's small voice pipe up from behind me. "Papa, all babies stink!" Tommy declared with the straightforward honesty only a five-year-old could muster. I chuckled, shaking my head. "You were the same when you were this little," I replied, turning to look at him. "And we still loved you all the same." Tommy giggled, his laughter filling the room with a warmth that made my heart swell. "I wasn't stinky like him!" he protested, though the mischievous twinkle in his eyes betrayed him. "You were," I insisted, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "And you did the same thing, kicking your legs and trying
I must have been asleep for a while. The ringing of my phone pulled me out of the deep sleep, and as I stirred, I felt the weight of the night before pressing down on me. My head pounded, and everything around me felt too bright, too harsh. I blinked against the light filtering in from the windows—it wasn’t even fully bright outside, just a dull grayness that matched how I felt inside. The sound of the phone persisted, relentless. I groaned, reaching around blindly, trying to find the damn thing. It wasn’t on the coffee table where I usually left it. My hands swept over the cushions, and finally, after a few frustrating moments, I found it wedged under the couch. I grabbed it, squinting at the screen. The doctor’s name flashed across it, and my heart skipped a beat. “Hello?” My voice was rough, strained, like I hadn’t used it in years. “She’s awake, sir. She’s awake.” The words hit me like a freight train. Ava’s awake? What? I almost dropped the phone, my hands trembling. The
Richard’s POV As I stepped into the room, I called out softly, “Ava.” My voice trembled with both hope and fear as I moved closer to her. She was sitting up in bed, her eyes open, but when she looked at me, there was nothing in her expression. No recognition, no warmth—just a blank stare. I stopped a few feet away from her, uncertain of what to do. “Ava,” I repeated, but there was no response. Her eyes remained fixed on me, empty. Confused and a bit panicked, I turned to the doctor, silently asking for an explanation. The doctor stepped forward, his expression calm as he addressed Ava directly. “Ava, do you remember your name?” he asked gently. “Yes,” she replied, her voice steady. “My name is Ava.” The doctor nodded. “Good. Now, can you tell me who this man is?” He pointed to me. Ava looked back at me, her eyes searching my face. After a moment, she shook her head. “I don’t know who he is. Why is he standing here?” The doctor turned to me and said quietly, “Mr. Richar
Ava's Pov The room was shrouded in darkness, the only sound being the faint hum of the machines beside the bed. She stirred, the dull ache in her body a reminder of where she was. Her eyes flickered open, adjusting to the dim light. The first thing she noticed was the heavy weight on her chest—memories flooding back, confusion gnawing at her mind. But she pushed them aside, focusing instead on the figure slumped in the chair by her bed. His head was tilted awkwardly, dark circles under his eyes as if sleep had been a distant memory. She stared at him for a long time, emotions warring within her. Anger, hurt, and… something else. Something softer. She had wanted to make him suffer, to make him feel the same pain she felt when she woke up alone, but all that seemed so distant now. Her gaze softened as she looked at him, and she wondered how long he had been sitting there like that, waiting, watching. She tried to move, but the IV lines tugged at her skin, pulling her back
Ava's Pov The day had finally come. After what felt like an eternity, I was finally being released from the hospital. The doctor had warned me that it would take time to fully regain my strength, especially after being in a coma for over a year. Walking was still a challenge, and though I had made progress, there was a limp that seemed determined to stay. But none of that mattered now. I was going home. Richard was by my side, his excitement palpable. He hadn’t stopped smiling since the doctor gave us the good news. As I packed my things, he hovered nearby, ready to help with anything, but I insisted on doing as much as I could on my own. “I still can’t believe it’s really happening,” I said, folding the last of my clothes into the suitcase. “You deserve this, Ava,” Richard replied, his voice soft but full of warmth. “We’ve been waiting for this day for so long.” I smiled at him, grateful for his support. “Do you think Tommy will remember me? I mean, we’ve talked on the phon
Richard's Pov When I walked into the hallway that morning, I couldn’t help but smile as I placed the gown on Hava’s bed. The silky fabric flowed through my fingers as I carefully arranged it, making sure it looked just right. The note I had written earlier rested on top of it, a simple but heartfelt message: We’re going out today. I have a surprise for you. Stepping back, I took a moment to imagine her reaction. Ava had always been the kind of woman who loved surprises but pretended she didn’t. I knew she’d blush, maybe even smile softly, wondering what I was up to. That thought alone made my heart race a little faster. I retreated to my own room to get ready, giving her space to discover the surprise on her own. I didn’t want to rush her; this day was about taking our time, enjoying every moment. After I dressed, I lingered near the door, waiting to hear her footsteps. A few minutes passed, and then I heard the sound of her bedroom door opening. I turned just in ti
Ava's Pov The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the bustling household. The once-quiet home had transformed into a lively battleground, where the daily routines of life were anything but mundane. The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallways as Ava scrambled to get her children ready for the day."Tommy, come here, sweetie," Ava called out as she fastened the straps on his backpack. Tommy, now eight years old and full of energy, ran over to her with an excited grin on his face."Are you ready for school, my big boy?" Ava asked, ruffling his hair."Yes, Mommy! I can't wait to show my friends the new toy Daddy got me," Tommy replied, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.Ava smiled, her heart swelling with pride as she knelt to help him adjust his backpack. "That’s my boy. Remember to listen to your teacher and be nice to your friends, okay?"Tommy nodded eagerly. "I will, Mommy!"As she finished with Tommy, Ava’s attention was suddenly drawn
Richard's Pov I had just finished filling the tub with warm water when Ava stepped in, letting out a sigh of relief as the warmth enveloped her swollen body. Mornings like this had become our little ritual, a time for her to relax and ease some of the discomfort that came with carrying three babies. I could tell she appreciated it, even if she didn’t say so outright. I grabbed the washcloth and gently started to soap her back, moving slowly, knowing how sensitive she’d become in these final weeks. Ava leaned forward, resting her head on her arms, eyes closed, a faint smile playing on her lips. “This feels amazing,” she murmured, her voice a soft whisper. “I could stay here all day.” “Maybe you should,” I teased lightly. “I can bring you breakfast, lunch, and dinner right here in the tub.” She chuckled, a sound that always managed to brighten my day, no matter how stressed or tired I was. “Tempting, but I think I’d turn into a prune if I stayed in here that long.” I laughed, a
Richard's Pov As I sat in the waiting room, time seemed to stretch into an eternity. The minutes dragged on like hours, and the silence in the hospital was deafening. The bright, sterile lights overhead did nothing to calm my nerves, and the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall only served to heighten my anxiety. I had been here for three hours, and the night had fully descended, casting a heavy darkness outside the windows. The only thing I could focus on was the fact that Ava was still unconscious, and I had no idea what was wrong. I replayed the events of the evening in my head over and over again. The way Ava had suddenly gone limp in my arms, her eyes fluttering shut, and how she hadn't responded to my frantic attempts to wake her. The memory of it made my heart pound in my chest, fear gripping me like a vice. I couldn't shake the image of her pale face, her body so still and lifeless. What if something was seriously wrong? What if she never woke up? The thought was
Ava's Pov The door creaked as we stepped into the dark room, the air heavy with a damp, metallic scent. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my face neutral. Richard had asked me not to cause any trouble, and I intended to keep that promise, even though every fiber of my being screamed at me to run. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls, making the space feel even more oppressive. I could barely make out the figure in the center of the room. My breath hitched when I saw him. Matthew. My ex-husband from my past life, tied to a chair, his head slumped forward. Blood dripped from various wounds on his body, pooling on the cold, concrete floor beneath him. The sight made my stomach churn, but I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. How could this man—this monster—still have such a hold on my life? Was he so hell-bent on ruining everything for me, both in the past and now? I had thought I was done with him after I ensured he was sent to the correctional cente
Ava's Pov I woke up to an empty bed. The sheets beside me were cold, a clear sign that Richard had been gone for a while. I rolled over, my mind still foggy from sleep, and tried to shake off the unease that settled in my chest. I remembered how exhausted I felt last night, how I had fallen asleep almost instantly after... Well, after everything. Richard had seemed concerned, but I had brushed it off as nothing. But now, as I lay there alone, something felt wrong. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, hoping for some kind of distraction. Just as I picked it up, it buzzed in my hand. A notification. I frowned, wondering who would be messaging me so early. When I unlocked the screen, my heart stopped. It was a video message from an unknown number. My hands trembled as I tapped the screen, my breath caught in my throat. The video began to play, and my world tilted. "Ma-Mama... Papa, please... I'm scared." Tommy’s tiny voice trembled through the speaker, and I felt
Ava's Pov The moment we stepped off the plane and into the warm Hawaiian breeze, I could hardly contain my excitement. My eyes widened as I took in the stunning view of the island, and I turned to Richard, practically bouncing on my toes. "Richard, you never told me we're spending our honeymoon in Hawaii!" I exclaimed, my voice full of surprise and delight. Richard flashed that charming smile of his, the one that always made my heart skip a beat. "Yeah, that’s the advantage of being married to me. You get to experience different surprises," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. I couldn't help but let out a little squeal of joy as I grabbed his arm, squeezing it tight. "You do realize this means you're going to have to keep surprising me like this for the rest of our lives, right?" He chuckled, pulling me close to him as we began walking down the road towards our hotel. "I wouldn’t have it any other way." As we made our way through the bustling streets, I felt like a ch
Ava's Pov The day had finally arrived. After three months of meticulous planning, every detail was in place, and yet, despite the joy that should have filled my heart, I couldn't shake the chills running through my body. This was my second marriage—one from a past life and now this present one. The thought of walking down the aisle again felt surreal. I stood in front of the mirror, my reflection showing a woman who had endured so much, yet still managed to find happiness again. The delicate lace of my gown hugged my figure perfectly, but it was the nervousness in my eyes that stood out the most. My father—well, the father of this body, the man who had become like a real father to me—appeared at the doorway. He had been the one to support me through everything, and now, he would be the one to lead me down the aisle. He walked over, his expression a mix of pride and emotion. “You look beautiful,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so proud of the woman you’ve
Ava's Pov We were nestled comfortably on the couch, watching a rerun of one of my favorite shows. Richard had been quiet all evening, but there was a certain energy about him, something that made me feel like he was up to something. “I invited Nana to stay over,” Richard suddenly said, breaking the silence. I turned to look at him, confused. “Why? Are we going somewhere?” He nodded, his eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint that always intrigued me. “Yes, we are.” I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. “Richard, I’m really tired. I don’t feel like going out.” He tilted his head, concern touching his features. “Why? Is something wrong?” I shook my head quickly, not wanting to worry him. “No, it’s nothing. I just… don’t feel like it today.” Richard’s expression softened, and then a slow smile spread across his face. “What if I told you there’s a surprise waiting for you?” My fatigue seemed to melt away instantly, replaced by curiosity. I straightened up on the couch,
Ava's Pov The soft rays of morning light filtered through the curtains, gently nudging me awake. I was lying there, cocooned in the warmth of my blankets, when a delightful aroma wafted through the air, teasing my senses. The smell was intoxicating—a rich, savory scent mingled with something sweet and buttery. I inhaled deeply, savoring it, and slowly blinked my eyes open. My gaze fell on Richard, who was standing at the foot of the bed, watching me with an amused smile. His eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and he held a tray of food in his hands. "I knew you'd wake up the moment you caught a whiff of this," he teased, his voice low and smooth. A playful smile tugged at my lips as I stretched lazily, my body still half-asleep but my mind fully awake. "You know me too well," I murmured, pushing myself up to sit against the headboard. "But you also know that I don’t really fuss over food like this… unless it’s something special." Richard chuckled and walked around to